Welcome to my Nest!
Happy New Year, everyone! And to celebrate, here’s a recipe for pie. What, you think I’d start the New Year out with celery sticks? Think again, my dearest friends, think again. That’s so not how I roll. If you have one resolution this year, make it this: Eat more pie. To add to that, bake [...]
I have never been a cobbler kinda gal. I like my fruits in crisps, the cakey topping that I usually associate with crumbles can’t hold a candle to the crunchy oatmeal topping that crisps are known for. The story that lead me to this recipe is a common one around this house. It started with [...]
Oh, yes I did! These lovelies were inspired by my first trip to the Bulk Barn, prompted by everyone on Twitter telling me how much I was missing in life by not frequenting said store. And I mean everyone. I think even Jessica Alba chimed in at one point and said “Are you crazy??” Ok, [...]
The devil made me do it. That’s the only thing that came to mind when I realized that on a day when it was about plus 28 Celsius, I was finally making the cookies that have been niggling in the back of my mind for a long, long time. I recently posted the base recipe [...]
I left off the last post with a picture of the above crowd in the gym of the school for the Culinary Arts Cook Off. Believe it or not, that picture was taken about 15 minutes into the event. I was so busy the day of the event that I didn't have my camera with me, instead I handed it off to Doug, one of the parent volunteers for the event and said "Here. Don't break it and get pictures of … [Read more...]
Hey, look, pie and a story that's almost completely unrelated! As always, this pie comes with a side of story for everyone, because what would Pie Day be without a tale to tell? This tale is about a criminal profiler that I happen to be related to, a familiar tale to many of those who knew me in high school or have the misfortune of being related to me in some way as well. However there are … [Read more...]
I have started and stopped writing this post about 4 times the past few weeks. I'm going to admit it; I'm feeling a little overwhelmed on how to sum up such an incredible event. Not only is there the pressure of covering everything, the photo editing alone of that day has kept me busy for hours on end. So many photos of so many amazing things and when I sat and looked at my folder of photos I … [Read more...]
The very first thing I did when I found out we were going to Salt Lake City for a week was to scope out some of the places that we wanted to go and dine at during our stay. Ok maybe the second, or third, first of all I checked out what the average seasonal temperature was - which is what all Edmontonians do in the middle of winter, dream about warmer climes- and looked up what shopping was … [Read more...]
Most of my dining out experiences are completely & utterly impromptu, spur-of-the-moment panicky affairs; apparently if it ain't last-minute, it ain't worth it. Our visit to Murrieta's on Whyte here in Edmonton was no exception. Mike and I were heading to Cats at the Jube and I realized that morning that we hadn't booked anywhere to eat before the performance. If that's what you called it. … [Read more...]
When DK Publishing asked me to pick a book to review for March Break, I immediately knew which one I wanted from their March Break Survival boutique. First, it had to be a cook book, since I am too busy lately to even think of posting on my other site The Super Mom. In fact, speaking of that website, I just made my husband weep when I asked him about incorporating the two. This is coming. This … [Read more...]
When trying to decide where to dine for our first date anniversary on February 11th, I knew right away where I was going to book. Zinc has been top of my list for places to try in Edmonton for a long time now and with the restaurant also entering the Culinary Arts Cook Off it was almost a no brainer. Speaking of the Culinary Arts Cook Off, I'm going to take a moment here to thank Chef David … [Read more...]
Oh, I do look forward to Edmonton's Downtown Dining week. It gives me an excuse - not that I need one- to go out for lunch with Mike endlessly. It's a requirement, you know, what kind of food blogger would I be if I didn't check out what's going on downtown food-wise? I..ah.. must admit that I have already booked in 2 lunches that week, I'll be trying Niche and The Hardware Grill. I couldn't … [Read more...]
Oh, delinquent blogger, thy name is Magpie. I simply can't believe that it has taken me two weeks to post about my little escapade on Breakfast TV on February 7th, usually I would have posted this the very next day. Oh, it's just been too busy, flitting around Edmonton, meeting chefs, lovely local celebs and partaking in so many food events to boot. La, so hard to be me. And as glib as I … [Read more...]
** Scene opens with strangers converging on a dark street outside a familiar Edmonton market, the familiar turned eerily unsettling by the fact that no one ventures there after dark, much less knocks on a back door to be let in. After stifling a few giggles together about clandestine meetings and secret supper clubs, they are welcomed into calming stillness; the bustling market has ceased until … [Read more...]
It's amazing what trouble one can get up while they are purposely avoiding getting any productive work done. With the new Culinary Arts Cook Off, my workload has tripled in volume. And it's ok. I have wine and I have chocolate, what more does a girl need? But Thursday night I needed some major motivation, I took one look at my Inbox, thought of PieDay and how I hadn't written up the post yet and … [Read more...]
Happy 6th Birthday to my beautiful girl, my littlest love, my last baby. What a year this has been for you, full of so many firsts and accomplishments for such a little girl. Going to Grade One and being away from home all day, surprising your mama with how well you adapted, how much you love your school and the zest with which you tackled that new adventure. Thank you for always reminding me of … [Read more...]
Gah, I'm embarrassed to even post this, I would rather people forgot that I even do the Advent Calender. Holy. Slacker. Batman. There's just so much going on, and so many other things to post on this site! I don't have all day, a ghost writer, a chef, a personal assistant or a housekeeper. It's simply not possible for a normal human mom to write more than one or two posts a day, and even those … [Read more...]
I am hosting Christmas for the first time in....errr...come to think of it, have I ever hosted Christmas at my place? The year I was due to give birth any moment with my daughter doesn't count, I don't remember anything other than I am pretty sure it was at my old house, my mother did everything, I didn't have enough energy to lift my eyelids open and I had heartburn and was sleeping sitting up in … [Read more...]
Days like this I remember why I married him. We are trying to get ready to leave for our annual ETS lights tour here in Edmonton, that takes us to Candy Cane lane and then to the Legislature to see the Christmas tree and have some hot cocoa. The deal is that they have to clean the basement or they aren't going. Mike has been sending them little funny notes to the basement but this one made me … [Read more...]
*tap tap tap* Is this thing on? *cue crickets* Holy phoning in the Advent calendar Batman. I just...didn't have it in me. I..don't know why. Just in case you aren't familiar with the phrase phoning it in, I bring you the Urban Dictionary's definition. Phone It In:to put in a half a$$ed effort at something, but complete it. Often pertaining to work which is complete and pretending to … [Read more...]
It's a two-for-one deal today, there wasn't a spare moment yesterday to write up the post. Between cleaning and baking and the last-minute running around for the Pie Party, posting the advent calender toys were the last thing on my mind. The Pie Party was the most fun I have had since, well my Halloween open house. Less people but more games. Mike is now addicted to Blokus and I … [Read more...]
We may have called this guy "The Arctic Explorer" but every time I look at him, I think "serial killer!". I can't help it. Maybe it's because he came with two axes and not just one. What Arctic Adventurer needs TWO axes? A bloodthirsty killer one, that's who. Day 9 brought the serial killer and a rebel X-wing. I think it's an X-wing, I could Google it but I just don't care enough to open … [Read more...]
I love my kids, my husband and chocolate.
The order depends on when you ask.
Welcome to my nest!
